This rise in exports is a trend that Dr Henry Shirman, managing director of Rotherham-based steel engineers, MTL Group, has embraced.

"Six years ago we exported around 1% of what we made; this year we're aiming for 30%," he says.

Analysis

By Adam ParsonsPresenter, Wake Up To Money, Radio 5 live

There's something that everyone seems to agree on: the appetite for an economic recovery is there. The fear that doom was around the corner has died away.

That's probably because the eurozone is still in one piece, even if that one piece is still looking rather rough.

But wages are lower than inflation, so it's tough to rely on consumers to really drive this recovery.

Europe is still a difficult place to sell to, even with a weak pound, and even rock-bottom interest rates haven't instigated a resurgence in investment.

And what happens when interest rates rise from the historic low of 0.5%? It would be good news - finally - for savers. But the effect on borrowers could be profound.

There's confidence around - but it feels very fragile.

"It's very competitive but we're going to trade fares in America, the Middle East and elsewhere."

The firm, which has more than doubled its turnover in six years, has benefitted from adapting to the demands of the latest growth markets.

"From ice skates to armoured vehicles, we're now in a variety of sectors so we can spread the risk of our business."

Andy Tuscher from the manufacturers' organisation, the EEF, says the sector is also taking advantage of strength in oil and gas.

"Oil and gas is doing well - so manufacturers can make money from that."

The EEF also sees evidence of an increase in "onshoring" - the return of mainly higher-value work from markets such as China and India, supported by a weaker pound and intense competition among UK suppliers.

MTL Group steel press operator, Dave Cosgrove, has spent his working life in manufacturing and is feeling positive.

"I've seen boom and bust and have been made redundant several times. But at the moment, moneywise, it's not too bad," he says.

"A few years ago me and my wife stopped spending money but now we have holidays and can help our kids out. We can't put our lives on hold for ever."

Construction: 'We've had to do things better'

Construction workers are returning to the industry after thousands of redundancies in 2012

The construction sector has suffered a rocky recession and recovery, with a strong rebound erased in 2012 when tens of thousands of people left the industry.

And its poor performance dragged down growth in the first quarter of this year.